Fluid treatment apparatus for continuous films



Dec. 27, 1949 E. s. COBB FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FILMS a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1946 EDWARD 3. C055 ll IIIIIIIIIIA IIIIIAVIIIIIIIJ Dec. 27, 1949 E. S. COBB FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FILMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1946 m muru EDWARD 5. C055 Dec. 27, 1949 E. s. COBB 2,492,133

F 'LUID TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FILMS Filed April 17, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 awe/WW0 EDWARD 5. COEE Patented Dec. 27, 1949 OFFICE FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS FILMS Edward S. Cobb, Burbank, Calif.

Application April 17, 1946, Serial No. 662,765

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material, as, for example, developing, drying, or otherwise processing motion picture film or the like.

. Objects of the present invention are to provide improved apparatus of the character referred to in which film or the like may be processed expeditiously and with decreased risk of damage; to provide improved apparatus for continuous fluid processing of relatively long strips in which the fluid in contact with the strip is continuously renewed, thereby enabling the fluid in contact with the strip to be maintained at predetermined strength; to provide improved apparatus of the character referred to in which fluid may circulate in a closed system and provision is made for heating or cooling the fluid immediately prior to contact with the strip and cooling it immediately thereafter; and to provide improved apparatus of the character referred to in which provision is made for vigorous and regulated agitation of the fluid.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide improved apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material in which means are employed for moving a strip longitudinally while simultaneously passing a stream of fluid over the strip transversely thereof; to provide improved apparatus of the character set forth in which means are provided for preventing spillage of fluid, and protection thereof against chemical reaction with the atmosphere; and to provide improved fluid treatment apparatus of rugged construction and easy operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, preferred forms of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a vertical sectional view of a fluid treatment apparatus embodying the features of the present invention, taken substantially on the line l! of Fig.2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of apparatus embodying the features of the present invention taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 5; N Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the modified apparatus taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig, 4; v

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the modified apparatus taken substantially on theline 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a further modified form of apparatus embodying the features of the present invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Figs. 1-3 there is shown at it) an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention. The apparatus includes a rigid support ll, preferably formed of a base plate I2 and a pair of spaced parallel upright plates l3 and i4 fixed to said base plate. A front disc IS, a rear disc i6,-and a drum ll are mounted between the upright plates on a rotatable tubular shaft it that passes through suitable bearings in said plates. The drum may be of either solid or hollow construction and is of slightly smaller diameter than the discs. The drum is mounted between said discs in spaced relation therefrom. Preferably the discs have inwardly projecting peripheral flanges l9 extending therearound.

The bore within the tubular shaft I8 is divided by a transverse partition 20. The shaft functions as an ingress and egress for fluid, and has radial ingress bores 2| to the left of the partition 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, extending into the space between the front disc 15 and the drum [1, and radial egress bores 22 to the right of said partition extending into the space between the rear disc 16 and the drum H.

The upright plates l3 and M are equipped with transverse removable spindles or other appropriate means for rotatably supporting reels 23 and 24, on which are wound strip material 25, as, for example, motion picture film, to be processed by the apparatus. The reel 23 contains the unprocessed material, which is fed therefrom around the major portion of the periphery of the discs 15 and I6 where it is contacted by the fluid, and onto the reel 24, being guided and driven by means hereinafter described.

A plurality of pulleys 26-42 are rotatably mounted between the upright plates I3 and I4 and are preferably arranged around the discs [5 and IS in the manner illustrated in Fig. l. A flexible, relatively nonstretchable, endless belt 33 passes around the pulleys and around the major portion of the periphery of the discs 15 and I6, also as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Preferably, driving means are connected to one of the pulleys 26--32, and in Figs. 1 and 2 such means are illustrated as including a gear 34 connected to the shaft on which pulley 3| is mounted and adapted to be driven by any suitable means, not shown. It is obvious, however, that the driving means may be connected with any or the other pulleys or with the shaft [8 without departing from the invention.

Strip material 25 is fed from the reel 23 around the first pulley 26 outside of the belt 33, which guides itaround the flanges !9 at the periphery of the discs. The strip emerges from around the last pulley 32, from which it is wound onto the reel 24. It is seen that the belt holds the strip in close contact with the flanges through the major portion of the periphery of the-discs.

Fluid, such as photographic developing solution, enters the space between the front disc and the drum through the ingress bores 2i and passes substantially radially over the face of the drum which thereby directs it to the periphery. Such fluid then passes over the strip in a substantially transverse direction as the-latter travels longitudinally, and chemical reaction between the fluid and the surface of the strip, or other treatment, may take place. Thefluid returns to the source through the space between the drum and the rear disc-and thence through the egress bores 22 and shaftl-B. Theapparatus is normally installed in a closed system that includes a storage tank and pump,=not shown, to make continuous operation possible.

It-is thus seen that a relatively large volume of solution'ma'ybe passed over a surface of the strip and that any particular portion of the fluid remains in contact with the strip for only a relatively short time, and also that the fluid is subject to a high degree of agitation. The width of thespace between the surface of the drum I! and the frontand rear discs l and i6 is preferably greater than the width of the space between the drumand the strip being treated, thereby creatinga nozzle effect and increasing turbulence of thefluid in the region of the strip. In photographic development work, it is desirable for the solution in contact with the fllmto be constantly renewed and subjected to the maximum degree of agitation in order that development reactions may-be carried out with the solution at predetermined strength and in the briefest period-of time.

In order to prevent leakage or escape of fluid throughthe space between the pulleys '26 and 32 in the region of the periphery of the'discs not covered by the belt 33, a shoe 35 is secured to the uprightplates i3 and I4 between the pulleys 26 and 32. Thec'onfiguration of the ends of said shoe is preferably substantially complementary to the circumferential faces of the pulleys 26 and 32. Theends of the shoe are-positioned close to the adjacent pulleys, but sufficient clearance is providedto permit free movement of the belt 33 and strip-'25 therepast. As shown in Fig. 3, the shoe extends into the space between the discs, and its "sides are'spaced from the discs only by a sufliicient distance to permit free rotation of the discs therepast.

7 The shoe 35 has a central longitudinal bore 35 (Fig. 1), a central transverse bore 31 (Fig. 3),

anda vertical bore 38, which intersect at a common point. The shoe also has a peripheral groove '39 adjacent the surface of the strip 25 and the interiorsurfaces of the discs and which communicates with the bores 36 and 3?, A fitting flllissecured to the shoe and communicates with the vertical-bore 38. A source of reduced pressure or vacuum, not shown, is connected to said fitting to draw off any fluid that would tend to escape around the sides and ends of said shoe.

Ah'eatin'g device 41 (Fig. 2) may optionally be included in the apparatus in order to heat the fluid immediately prior to contact with the strip to increase the speed of chemical reaction therewith.

The heating device may conveniently comprise 5 one or more annular electric heating elements secured to the exterior of the frontdiscl 5. and incased by an annular shield. The heating elements may be energized by connection with slip rings 42 secured to the exterior of the shaft 20 and engaged by suitable brushes. It is desirable that heating of the fluid take place immediately prior to contact with the strip in order that the fluid is maintained at elevated temperature for the shortest possible period of time. Many fluids, as, for example, photographic developing solutions, deteriorate rapidly when maintained at elevated temperatures. Normally the fluid is rapidly cooled to room temperature by contact with the rear disc -lB,-but,'if desired, additional cooling means, as, for example, water circulation coils (not shown) may be annularly arranged on the outside of disc IS in a manner .similartoithearrangement of the heating elements on disc 15 to iexpedite cooling. It will be observerLL however, that the extended surface of the disc l6 exposed :to the atmospheric or other air in the supporthousing, would ordinarily provide ample cooling :to the ambient temperature.

In the modified form of apparatus --illustrated in Figs. 4-6, the support is in lthe form of a substantially closed box or housing, and the fluidi's retained within the apparatus by air pressurethat balances the fluid pressure.

The modified form of apparatus comprises --a box-like support or housing 43in which isarotatably mounted a tubular shaft 44. Said shaft'has a front disc 45, a rear disc 46, and-a drum-'41 mounted thereon. The discsand drum are constructed and arranged similarly to the corresponding elements of the-deviceshown in Figs. 1-3, except that the flanges have radially'protruding pins having smooth, rounded points adapted to engage perforations in the strip such as are commonly provided in: motion picture film. As in the device shown in Figs. l 3, the--shafthas a transverse partition 49, radial ingress bores' ill, and radial egress bores 5|.

Brackets 52 and 53 are secured-to the exterior of the housing and are adapted'to rotatably mount reels 54 and 55 on which is wound a strip '56to'be processed by the apparatus. The unprocessed strip is fed from the reel through the apparatus and the processed strip is wound-on the reel 55.

The upper wall of the housing 43 is apertured to admit the strip to the interior thereof. 'A 'flrst pair of smooth guide rollers 51 are provide'd to guide the strip into the housing, and a second pair of smooth guide rollers 758E-are provided'to 60 guide the strip from the housing and :onto the reel 55.

Notched rollers 59 and 6!] are rotatably mounted in the housing in such manner that the notches therein are engageable with the pins '48 on the 65 discs 45 and 46. The roller 59 is located adjacent the first guide rollers 51 and directsthe stripinto engagement with the periphery of the discswith the pins penetrating the perforations in the strip. The roller 60 is located adjacent the secondguide 70 rollers '58and directs the strip off the discs.

To restrain leakage of fluid from "the space between the discs in the portionof theperiphery not covered by the strip 56,"a shoe 6| issecured to the housing between the notched rollers 59 and '75 60. The shoe-61 is Similar in design "and"func-.

tion to the shoe 35 in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 and hereinbefore described, hence the shoe is not again described in detail. The only difierence in shoe 6| is that it is grooved along its edges to accommodate the pins 48 on the periphery of discs 45 and 46.

-To balance the pressure of the fluid between the discs, the space within the housing outside of the discs is subjected to air under pressure, and an inlet 62 is provided for this purpose. The full pressure of the fluid bears on the strip, and it is balanced by the air pressure on the opposite side, thus relieving the strip of any stress, such as would cause damage or tend'to force it 01? the pms.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4-6 may be equipped with heating or cooling means similar to those shown and described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1-3, and may be driven by any suitable means connected to the shaft 44.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 4-6 except that the notched roller that guides the strip onto the periphery of the discs is supplemented by a perforated flexible belt, preferably of steel or other metal.

As shown in Fig. 7, the embodiment comprises a housing 63, a rear disc 64, a drum 65, and guide rollers 66, all similar to the corresponding elements of the embodiment of Figs. 4-6 and hence not again described in detail. The disc 64 has strip engaging pins 61 around its periphery, shown as engaging a strip 68, in the same manner as the pins in the embodiment already described.

An auxiliary guide roller 69 is rotatably mounted in the housing, and the strip 68 passes thereover from the rollers 66. A notched wheel 10 is rotatably .mounted in the housing, and a second notched wheel H is rotatably mounted on a suitable fitting, to which is secured a tension spring 12, also secured to the housing. A belt 13 of metal or other suitable material passes over the notched wheels and has perforations corresponding to the perforations in the strip 68 and the pins 61.

As the strip 68 is fed from the auxiliary roller 69, the belt 13 in the region of the notched wheel 10 starts the perforations in the strip into engagement with the pins 61. The spring .12 draws the wheel ll downwardly and to the left as viewed in Fig. 7, and thus a portion of the belt'l3 behind the Wheel 10 engages over the pins and conforms in configuration to that of theperiphery of the. discs. Said portion of the belt forces the strip into close engagement with the disc and thereby guides the strip into a position where the pins pass through the perforations.

While I have shown but certain embodiments of the present invention, it is obvious that the device is subject to further modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited by the disclosure set forth, but only by the scop of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the UnitedStates of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

-1. An apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material comprising a support, a pair of discs having inwardly projecting peripheral flanges, a drum of smaller diameter than said discs forming a narrow peripheral'space around said .drum

inwardly of said peripheral flanges, means rotatably mounting said discs and said drum on said support with said drum interposed between said discs and in spaced relation therefrom, said mounting means being adapted for connection to a source of said fluid under pressure and providing ingress for fluid in the space formed on one side of said drum and egress therefor on the other side of said drum, whereby to induce a flow of said fluid substantially transversely of said peripheral space from one side of said drum to the other, means for rotatably mounting reels on said support, means for guiding a strip from a reel around the flanges on said discs and onto another reel, and means fitting around the peripheral space not covered by said strip for preventing leakage of fluid from said spaces.

2. An apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material comprising a support, a pair of discs, means rotatably mounting said discs on said support in spaced relation to each other a distance substantially equal to said strip material, a drum of smaller diameter than said discs closely spaced between them, said discs being provided with internal peripheral shoulders, said mounting means being adapted for connection to a source of supply of said fluid under pressure and providing ingress and egress for the flow of said fluid in the spaces between said discs and said drum from the center of one disc around the periphery of said drum to the center of the other disc, heating means for said fluid on said one disc adjacent the periphery thereof for heating said fluid just prior to its reaching the periphery, means for rotatably mounting reels on said support, and means for guiding a strip from a reel around the peripheral shoulders of said discs and onto another reel.

3. An apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material comprising a support, a pair of discs, means rotatably mounting said discs on said support in spaced relation to each other a distance substantially equal to said strip material, a drum of smaller diameter than said discs closely spaced between them, said discs having internal peripheral flanges, said mounting means being adapted for connection to a source of said fluid under pressure and providing ingress and egress for fluid in the space between said discs and said drum, the ingress being on one side of said drum and the egress on the other, near the center of the discs, means for guiding and retaining strips around the peripheral flanges of said discs, thespace between the drum and the discs and strip forming a passage for said fluid from the ingress to the periphery of said, discs, over a surface of the strip in a transverse direction, and thence to the egress.

4. An apparatus for fluid treatment of photographic film comprising a support, a pair of axially aligned spaced discs rotatably mounted on said support, means for guiding film around the periphery of said discs, means adapted for connection to a supply of said fluid under pressure and providing ingress to the space between the discs, means providing egress from said space,

and a drum spacedly mounted between the discs and closely spaced from the periphery thereof for directing flow of fluid from the ingress to the periphery of the discs, across the film at a controlled rate, and thence to the egress.

5. An apparatus for fluid treatment of strip material comprising a support, a pair of discs, means rotatably mounting said discs on said support in spaced, relation to each other a distance savages-e ported between said-discs and cooperatingatherewith toform a passage for .directingxflow ofe fluidfrom the ingress, to the periphery.ofsthe discsl over the innersurf ace of the-strip at 'a- -controlled rate-as determinedbythe dimensions of thespac over the inner-rsurface ;of:the ,:strip:between:said: and; thence, to-.-the .=egr,ess, and: means.- mounted; ,ongsaid support :for preventingjeakager ofsfluid from: between thedi'scs intheregiomofthe;

periphery not, covered by-saidrbjem;

8. An apparatus for fluid; treatmentmfistrip; material, 1 comprising. a substantially ;cl,osed;"sup- Port ,housing, a pair of discs, a drumpf smaller diameter between .said discs, .meanszrotatablyu mounting; said discs ,in;s;said:, housing-i, imclosely-z spaced, relationz to said drum, said: mounting: means being-adapted- ,for connection tea-sources of fluid supply undenpressure and-providing in; gress and egress for, fluid-in the space between 1-,

;said discs, said housing having apertures for pas-a sage of. strips, said-discs having; peripheralmeans for--'engaginglperforations along :the sidesrof the strips; means. rotatably mounted in 'saidlrhousinga for; .guid-ing a .strip into; antkout; of engagements.

ing-between said strip and the-drum, and-thjenceag with-saidperipheralmeans, the spacingsbetween's to theegresaand meansmounted onsaid supporta for preventing leakage of fluid from between the discs in the region ofathe. periphery :notl covered by the strip.

6. Anapparatus for-fluid treatment 0f strip-25 material comprising a support, a pair ofdiscs,- means rotatably mounting said discs on said support in spaced relation to reach other a distance substantially equal to said strip materiaL a drum 7 said drum and said discs and strip forming a pass, sage for directing the flow of fluid;- from :the

ingress, to the periphery of the discs,=,over1the--; inner surface of thestrip-between said discs ands thence to the regress.

9. An. apparatus for. fluidtreatmentof v strip;v material comprising a substantially,closedisup-s port :housing, a pair of discs aidrum of smaller diameter between said discs, means rotatably;

of smaller diameter than said discs closely spaced .30 mounting said discs .in. said housing in closely between them, said discs having internalperipheral flanges, said mounting-means-being adapted for connection to a source of fluid supplyx-underpressure and providingingress and egress for spaced relation to said'rdrum, said mounting means-being adapted for connectionto azsource of-A fluid supply; under pressure and 1 providing, ingress andiegress for fluid, said-housing having fluid in the space between said discs and -said. aperturesnfor passage of strips, a. plurality. of"

drum, the ingress being on one side of .said. drumand the egress on the other, near the center :of: the discs, means for rotatably mounting :reelson: said support, an endless belt, rotatable means radiallyiextending pins secured :around :the peripheries ofsaid discs for engaging perforations :7 in--thestrips, a notched roller rotatably. mounted.- in'said housing for guidinga strip overand. into;

mounted on said support retaining said beltwith= *engagement'with said pins, a second notchedr.

a portion thereof iii-engagement with a-portion-.. of the periphery of said discs, said-belt being; adapted to guide a strip -from areel, around-the portion of the peripheryof said discs engaged by' said belt, and onto another reel, said drum being supported between said discs and cooperatingtherewith to form a passage for directingflow: of fluid from the ingress, to the periphery-of the discs, in a thin layer transversely over the inner' surface of the strip at a controlled rate; as determined by the dimensions of the spacing between said strip and the drum, and thence to-the egress,- and means mounted on said support 'fonprevent ing leakage of fluid from between the discs-in: the;-

region of theperiphery not engaged 'by-saidbeltc '7. An apparatus for fluidtreatment-of strip material comprising a support, a pair of discs, a drum of smaller diameter than said discs,- means: rotatably mounting said discsand said-drum on said support with said drum interposed between 0 said discs and in spaced relation'therefrom; saidmounting means being adapted for-connectiontoa source of fluidunderpressureandprovidingingress into the space onone side-of-said drumandegress from the other sideth'ereof-for--fluid flow therebetween, across the periphery of said-'- drum, means for-rotatablymounting reels on said support, an endless belt, rotatable means'mountedon said support retaining said belt with a portion thereof in engagement with-a portion of the pe- .70

riphery of said discs, saidbelt:being adaptedto guide a strip from a reel, around'the. portion of the periphery of said discs engaged iby;said-'belt, and onto another reel; said drum and-"discs being:

roller rctatablymounted insaid housing for guidingethe strip ofi the pins, thespacingbetween-said': drum *andrsaid'discs and strip forming- :apassage for directing. the.v flow of. fluid: from. theaingressvto the periphery of the discs,.over-the-inner sure.v face. of the strip between said tdiscs,v and Tthence tosthe egress:

10; Anapparatus for fluidtreatment ofxstrip; material comprising a substantially closedvsup-a porthousing, a'pair of discs, a drum ofrsmaller diameter between said discs, means rotatablyf, mounting. said discs in closely :spaced relation to saiddrum, said" mounting means bein -adapted; for connection to a. sourc of fluid-supply underv pressure and providing ingress and egress for fluid; said housing having apertures for-passageg of strips, a plurality. of radially:extending'pins, secured around theperipheries-pf -said discs :for engaging perforations inthe :strips,- a pair' of notched. wheels rotatably mounted in-saidsh'ousing; aperforated flexible beltaround saidvrwheelsfort guidingastrip over and into engagement with said pins means forrguiding the strip-()fithepins; the spacing between said drum andsaid discs and strips forming a passagefor. directing-theflowrof fluidifrom the: ingress, to the periphery .of. the I diSCSyOllGf-thS-ilihfit surface of the strip'between-r: said discs and thencetotheegressi 11. An apparatus as defined in claim8, wherein.v said housing is supplied with compressedgasior maintaining-said. strips. in fluid-atightrelation on the-peripheries of said discs-,- and means mounted z said ihousing' for preventing leakagemf gfiuid'i; fromzbetween; said 2 discs in- ,the region of .:thei,r.e'

cooperable todirect flow-0f fluid from-theingresw; peripheries not-coveredrby said: strip.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, having means in said housing for assuring proper engagement of said strip with said peripheral means by providing positive initial contact therebetween followed by a resilient and even pressure over said strip around its perforations to complete the engagement.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said means for assuring proper engagement comprises a notched wheel mounted in said housing adjacent said means for guiding said strip into engagement with said peripheral means, a second notched wheel freely mounted in said housing, resilient means for biasing said second wheel against the peripheries of said discs and away from said first wheel, and a perforated flexible belt around said wheels.

14. In an apparatus such as defined in claim 12, a perforated strip, means for feeding said strip onto a rotatable element provided with corresponding pins for said perforations, and means for assuring proper engagement of said strip on said element as it is rotated, comprising a first notched wheel having a fixed bearing, a second notched wheel having a free bearing, a flexible belt around said wheels correspondingly perforated, and means for biasing said free bearing away from said fixed bearing and against said 10 rotatable element, said fixed bearing being spaced from said element so as to just start the strip perforations over the ends of said pins, whereby the flexible belt will provide a distributed steady pressure over the preceding portion of said strip to draw it evenly down said pins and seat it firmly over said element without distortion or injury to said perforations.

EDWARD S. COBB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

